This crew never turns a cold shoulder to anyone. Initially a way for world travelers and pro snowboarders Jack Mitrani and Danny Davis to catch all of their frends in the same place at the same time, today, Frendly Gathering welcomes frendly faces all over the world to come kick it with the crew. Tucked away in the lush, green mountains of Vermont’s Sugarbush Resort (Mt.Ellen), the Gathering’s infectious energy inspires family-like vibes and positivity all around.

If you think you’re waltzing into some utopia, you aren’t entirely wrong. Frendly Gathering features a plethora of wildly entertaining activities, and hosts Jack and Danny—entertainers and artists in their own right—have incredible taste in music and major talent for creating an intimate, inclusive world for you and your crew to meet up and make new frends.

Family-Frendly Fun

As one of New England’s premier music festivals, it’s no wonder the family keeps getting bigger and bigger every year. However, no one likes getting lost in a growing sea of festival-goers; plus, we all need a little breathing room in order to make new friends. That’s why the organizers cap sales at 3,500 tickets, which is still more than enough people to add to your ever-expanding social circle.

Within deep, wooded areas of Vermont’s Mad River Valley, Frendly Gathering offers an authentic outdoor experience that’s cherished by locals and travelers alike. Its mild summer temperatures and stunning scenery allow you to lose yourself in over 25 music acts spanning rock n’ roll, bluegrass, reggae and electronic, among other genres. Twiddle, a highly acclaimed jam band from Vermont, has played the festival yearly since its inception in 2011. They will share headlining duties with Yonder Mountain String Band and Charles Bradley in 2017, eventually giving way to three days’ worth of exceptional music talent.

Frends don’t let frends party alone. Since “there is no I in frends,” you’re encouraged to extend a frendly hand and begin laying the groundwork for meaningful relationships. Sugarbush is home to Mount Ellen, one of two towering mountains at the resort whose varied terrain is ideal for many family-oriented activities during summertime. Its base area will be jam-packed with vibrant live art, a mini half-pipe for skateboarding, local food truck grub and cleansing yoga sessions. No doubt you’ll acquire a bunch of new frends while you’re throwing down, and since you won’t want to leave them just yet you’d be wise to pack some camping gear. Just minutes from the festival grounds are designated zones for RV camping, car camping and old-school camping.

History

It only took a few short years for founders Danny Davis and Jack Mitrani to make Frendly Gathering a household name in the festival industry. Beginning in 2010, the Frends Crew hosted the first two gatherings in Mammoth Lakes, California, which saw a couple hundred close frends partying, playing cornhole, jamming to their favorite bands and crushing the slopes with the pro snowboarding collective. In 2012, Davis and Mitrani decided to set up shop in Vermont, where Jack and his brother, Luke, regularly trained in snowboarding as kids.